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1-Page Summary of The Meaning of Life
Overview
Many of us have displayed some strange behaviors when attracted to another person. Some psychologists say that this is because we’re trying to survive and reproduce, but others disagree. The author will explain why these instincts are so important by exploring the issue in detail with an example or two from modern life.
In this article, you’ll learn how reproduction and survival determine what we remember. You’ll also find out why an average-looking man with a Rolex is more attractive than a handsome man without one.
Big Idea #1: Preference for beauty and social dominance is linked to our reproductive instincts.
We often find ourselves looking at attractive people, even when we have a partner waiting for us. However, this kind of behavior has clear consequences.
The author conducted an experiment in which men and women were exposed to attractive members of the opposite sex. After being exposed, they were then asked to rate their commitment level to their partners.
In an experiment, men valued their relationship less after seeing beautiful women. Women valued their relationship less after being shown a series of socially dominant men.
If you want to have a happy relationship, it’s better not to seek out beautiful or socially dominant people. Similarly, if you’re actively seeking a partner, that mindset won’t help either. To illustrate this point, the author shares an anecdote about his days at university and how he and one of his friends disagreed over the number of beautiful women on campus. The friend thought there weren’t any; the author believed they were everywhere.
The author finally understood why they didn’t see eye-to-eye after seeing his friend’s bedroom. The walls were lined with Playboy centerfolds, which made it impossible for him to recognize other people’s beauty.
So why do we show deference to beautiful and socially dominant people? Essentially, our ancestors sought out the most beautiful women or most dominant men when it was time to find partners with whom they could reproduce. That drive hasn’t left us in today’s society.
Big Idea #2: Men’s tendency to commit more homicides is tied to their reproductive instincts.
Have you ever been so full of darkness and anger that you actually thought about killing someone? If you have, don’t worry, because it’s normal.
Most people have had murderous thoughts. A survey of 760 students at Arizona State University revealed that 76% of men and 62% of women had killed someone in their head.
Despite the fact that both men and women fantasize about killing, men are responsible for 90% of murders annually in the United States.
The reason why men are more likely to engage in violence than women is that it helps them attract mates. If a man feels his status or ability to attract mates has been threatened, he may lash out violently.
This can be linked to two principles of evolutionary biology, namely differential parental investment and sexual selection. Taken together, these principles explain why men are violent and murderous: they want to win over women.
